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  4. PX4 stops running

PX4 stops running

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Starling & Starling 2
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  • tomT tom

    @kestrelsystemsbp Can you post the contents of /etc/modalai/voxl-px4.conf

    kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
    kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
    kestrelsystemsbp
    wrote on last edited by
    #6

    @tom Screenshot 2025-03-24 161036.png Screenshot 2025-03-24 161001.png

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    • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

      @kestrelsystemsbp That's the entire output from voxl-px4 -d? What version of the VOXL SDK is installed? Have you made any modifications to /usr/bin/voxl-px4-start or /etc/modalai/voxl-px4.conf? Have you made any modifications to the software on the Starling 2?

      kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
      kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
      kestrelsystemsbp
      wrote on last edited by
      #7

      @Eric-Katzfey Have not done any modifications to the software other than basic setup stuff for QGC.

      Eric KatzfeyE tomT 2 Replies Last reply
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      • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

        @kestrelsystemsbp That's the entire output from voxl-px4 -d? What version of the VOXL SDK is installed? Have you made any modifications to /usr/bin/voxl-px4-start or /etc/modalai/voxl-px4.conf? Have you made any modifications to the software on the Starling 2?

        Eric KatzfeyE Offline
        Eric KatzfeyE Offline
        Eric Katzfey
        ModalAI Team
        wrote on last edited by
        #8

        @Eric-Katzfey said in PX4 stops running:

        What version of the VOXL SDK is installed?

        kestrelsystemsbpK 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • kestrelsystemsbpK kestrelsystemsbp

          @Eric-Katzfey Have not done any modifications to the software other than basic setup stuff for QGC.

          Eric KatzfeyE Offline
          Eric KatzfeyE Offline
          Eric Katzfey
          ModalAI Team
          wrote on last edited by
          #9

          @kestrelsystemsbp said in PX4 stops running:

          basic setup stuff for QGC

          What changes were made for that?

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          • kestrelsystemsbpK kestrelsystemsbp

            @Eric-Katzfey Have not done any modifications to the software other than basic setup stuff for QGC.

            tomT Offline
            tomT Offline
            tom
            admin
            wrote on last edited by
            #10

            @kestrelsystemsbp Would also be helpful to see the contents of /usr/bin/voxl-px4-start

            kestrelsystemsbpK 1 Reply Last reply
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            • tomT tom

              @kestrelsystemsbp Would also be helpful to see the contents of /usr/bin/voxl-px4-start

              kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
              kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
              kestrelsystemsbp
              wrote on last edited by
              #11

              @tom
              #!/bin/sh

              PX4 commands need the 'px4-' prefix in bash.

              (px4-alias.sh is expected to be in the PATH)

              . px4-alias.sh

              echo -e "\n*************************"
              echo "AIRFRAME: $AIRFRAME"
              echo "GPS: $GPS"
              echo "RC: $RC"
              echo "ESC: $ESC"
              echo "POWER MANAGER: $POWER_MANAGER"
              echo "AIRSPEED SENSOR: $AIRSPEED_SENSOR"
              echo "DISTANCE SENSOR: $DISTANCE_SENSOR"
              echo "OSD: $OSD"
              echo "ARTIFACT_MODE: $ARTIFACT_MODE"
              echo "EXTRA STEPS:"
              for i in "${EXTRA_STEPS[@]}"
              do
              echo -e "\t$i"
              done
              echo -e "*************************\n"

              In order to just exit after starting the uorb / muorb modules define

              the environment variable MINIMAL_PX4. (e.g. export MINIMAL_PX4=1)

              This is useful for testing / debug where you may want to start drivers

              and modules manually from the px4 command shell

              if [ ! -z $MINIMAL_PX4 ]; then
              /bin/echo "Running minimal script"
              exit 0
              fi

              Figure out what platform we are running on.

              PLATFORM=/usr/bin/voxl-platform 2> /dev/null
              RETURNCODE=$?
              if [ $RETURNCODE -ne 0 ]; then
              # If we couldn't get the platform from the voxl-platform utility then check
              # /etc/version to see if there is an M0052 substring in the version string. If so,
              # then we assume that we are on M0052.
              VERSIONSTRING=$(</etc/version)
              M0052SUBSTRING="M0052"
              if [[ "$VERSIONSTRING" == "$M0052SUBSTRING" ]]; then
              PLATFORM="M0052"
              fi
              fi

              We can only run on M0052, M0054, or M0104 so exit with error if that is not the case

              if [ $PLATFORM = "M0052" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Running on M0052"
              elif [ $PLATFORM = "M0054" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Running on M0054"
              elif [ $PLATFORM = "M0104" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Running on M0104"
              else
              /bin/echo "Error, cannot determine platform!"
              exit 0
              fi

              Sleep a little here. A lot happens when the uorb and muorb start

              and we need to make sure that it all completes successfully to avoid

              any possible race conditions.

              /bin/sleep 1

              param select /data/px4/param/parameters

              Load in all of the parameters that have been saved in the file

              param load

              if [ "$ARTIFACT_MODE" == "ENABLE" ]; then
              # Do not start the logger module if we are in artifact mode. Logging
              # produces a log artifact. If there are currently any saved logs make
              # sure to delete them now.
              # Also remove the data manager file that may have saved GPS waypoint information
              # in it.
              # Use shred to remove all files so that they cannot be recovered.
              # shred should be effective on the /data partition since it has this configuration:
              # /dev/sda8 /data ext4 rw,nosuid,nodev,noatime,discard,noauto_da_alloc,data=ordered 0 0
              /usr/bin/find /data/px4/log -name "*.ulg" -exec /usr/bin/shred -u -n 7 {} ;
              /bin/rm -fR /data/px4/log
              /usr/bin/shred -u -n 7 /data/px4/dataman
              /bin/echo "Artifact mode has been enabled"
              else
              # Start logging and use timestamps for log files when possible.
              # Add the "-e" option to start logging immediately. Default is
              # to log only when armed. Caution must be used with the "-e" option
              # because if power is removed without stopping the logger gracefully then
              # the log file may be corrupted.
              logger start -t
              fi

              IMU (accelerometer / gyroscope)

              if [ "$PLATFORM" == "M0104" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting IMU driver with rotation 12"
              qshell icm42688p start -s -R 12
              else
              /bin/echo "Starting IMU driver with no rotation"
              qshell icm42688p start -s
              fi

              Start Invensense ICP 101xx barometer built on to VOXL 2

              qshell icp101xx start -I -b 5

              Auto detect the magnetometer. If one or both of these devices

              are not connected it will fail but not cause any harm.

              /bin/echo "Looking for qmc5883l magnetometer"
              qshell qmc5883l start -R 10 -X -b 1
              /bin/echo "Looking for ist8310 magnetometer"
              qshell ist8310 start -R 10 -X -b 1

              GPS and magnetometer

              if [ "$GPS" != "NONE" ]; then
              # On M0052 the GPS driver runs on the apps processor
              if [ $PLATFORM = "M0052" ]; then
              gps start -d /dev/ttyHS2
              # On M0054 and M0104 the GPS driver runs on SLPI DSP
              else
              qshell gps start
              fi
              fi

              Auto detect an ncp5623c i2c RGB LED. If one isn't connected this will

              fail but not cause any harm.

              /bin/echo "Looking for ncp5623c RGB LED"
              qshell rgbled_ncp5623c start -X -b 1 -f 400 -a 56

              We do not change the following parameters but QGC will complain if they aren't

              being reported as "used" by px4. "Touching" them accomplishes that.

              param touch SYS_AUTOCONFIG
              param touch SDLOG_MODE

              ESC driver

              if [ "$ESC" == "VOXL_ESC" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting VOXL ESC driver"
              qshell voxl_esc start
              elif [ "$ESC" == "VOXL2_IO_PWM_ESC" ]; then
              if [ "$RC" == "M0065_SBUS" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting VOXL IO for PWM ESC with SBUS RC"
              qshell voxl2_io start
              else
              /bin/echo "Starting VOXL IO for PWM ESC without SBUS RC"
              qshell voxl2_io start -e
              fi
              else
              /bin/echo "No ESC type specified, not starting an ESC driver"
              fi

              RC driver

              if [ "$RC" == "FAKE_RC_INPUT" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting fake RC driver"
              qshell rc_controller start
              elif [ "$RC" == "CRSF_RAW" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting CRSF RC driver"
              qshell crsf_rc start -d 7
              elif [ "$RC" == "CRSF_MAV" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting TBS crossfire RC - MAV Mode"
              qshell mavlink_rc_in start -m -p 7 -b 115200
              elif [ "$RC" == "SPEKTRUM" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting Spektrum RC"
              # On M0052 the RC driver runs on the apps processor
              if [ $PLATFORM = "M0052" ]; then
              rc_input start -d /dev/ttyHS1
              # On M0054 and M0104 the RC driver runs on SLPI DSP
              else
              qshell spektrum_rc start
              fi
              elif [ "$RC" == "GHST" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting GHST RC driver"
              qshell ghst_rc start -d 7
              elif [ "$RC" == "M0065_SBUS" ]; then
              if [ $PLATFORM = "M0052" ]; then
              apps_sbus start
              elif [ "$ESC" != "VOXL2_IO_PWM_ESC" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Attempting to start M0065 SBUS RC driver for original M0065 FW"
              qshell dsp_sbus start
              retVal=$?
              if [ $retVal -ne 0 ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting M0065 SBUS RC driver for original M0065 FW failed"
              /bin/echo "Attempting to start M0065 SBUS RC driver for new M0065 FW"
              qshell voxl2_io start -d -p 7
              fi
              else
              /bin/echo "M0065 SBUS RC driver already started with PWM ESC start"
              fi
              fi

              if [ "$DISTANCE_SENSOR" == "LIGHTWARE_SF000" ]; then
              # Make sure to set the parameter SENS_EN_SF0X to 8 for sf000/b sensor
              qshell lightware_laser_serial start -d 7
              fi

              if [ "$POWER_MANAGER" == "VOXLPM" ]; then
              # APM power monitor
              qshell voxlpm start -X -b 2
              fi

              if [ "$AIRSPEED_SENSOR" == "MS4525DO" ]; then
              qshell ms4525do start -X -b 4
              fi

              Optional distance sensor on spare i2c

              qshell vl53l0x start -X -b 4

              qshell vl53l1x start -X -b 4

              Start all of the processing modules on DSP

              qshell sensors start
              qshell ekf2 start

              if [ "$AIRFRAME" == "FIXED_WING" ]; then
              qshell fw_pos_control start
              qshell fw_att_control start
              qshell fw_rate_control start
              qshell airspeed_selector start
              qshell fw_autotune_attitude_control start
              qshell land_detector start fixedwing
              elif [ $AIRFRAME = "MULTICOPTER" ]; then
              qshell mc_pos_control start
              qshell mc_att_control start
              qshell mc_rate_control start
              qshell mc_hover_thrust_estimator start
              qshell mc_autotune_attitude_control start
              qshell land_detector start multicopter
              fi

              qshell manual_control start
              qshell control_allocator start
              qshell load_mon start

              Only start the rc_update module if an actual RC driver

              is publishing input_rc topics. Otherwise for external RC

              over Mavlink this isn't needed.

              if [ "$RC" != "EXTERNAL" ]; then
              qshell rc_update start
              fi

              qshell commander start

              This is needed for altitude and position hold modes

              qshell flight_mode_manager start

              Start all of the processing modules on the applications processor

              dataman start
              navigator start
              load_mon start

              This bridge allows raw data packets to be sent over UART to the ESC

              modal_io_bridge start

              Start microdds_client for ros2 offboard messages from agent over localhost

              microdds_client start -t udp -h 127.0.0.1 -p 8888

              On M0052 there is only one IMU. So, PX4 needs to

              publish IMU samples externally for VIO to use.

              if [ $PLATFORM = "M0052" ]; then
              imu_server start
              fi

              start the onboard fast link to connect to voxl-mavlink-server

              mavlink start -x -u 14556 -o 14557 -r 100000 -n lo -m onboard

              slow down some of the fastest streams

              mavlink stream -u 14556 -s HIGHRES_IMU -r 10
              mavlink stream -u 14556 -s ATTITUDE -r 10
              mavlink stream -u 14556 -s ATTITUDE_QUATERNION -r 10
              mavlink stream -u 14556 -s GLOBAL_POSITION_INT -r 30
              mavlink stream -u 14556 -s SCALED_PRESSURE -r 10

              start the slow normal mode for voxl-mavlink-server to forward to GCS

              mavlink start -x -u 14558 -o 14559 -r 100000 -n lo

              mavlink boot_complete

              Optional MSP OSD driver for DJI or HDZero goggles

              This is only supported on M0054 (with M0125 accessory board)

              if [ "$OSD" == "ENABLE" ] || [ "$OSD" == "DJI" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting DJI OSD driver"
              msp_osd start -d /dev/ttyHS1
              elif [ "$PLATFORM" == "M0054" ] && [ "$OSD" == "HDZERO" ] || [ "$OSD" == "DJI_MSP_DP" ]; then
              /bin/echo "Starting $OSD OSD driver for $PLATFORM"
              msp_dp_osd start -d /dev/ttyHS1
              elif [ "$PLATFORM" == "M0104" ] && [ "$OSD" == "HDZERO" ] || [ "$OSD" == "DJI_MSP_DP" ] ; then
              /bin/echo "Starting $OSD OSD driver for $PLATFORM"
              msp_dp_osd start -d /dev/ttyHS0
              fi

              Start optional EXTRA_STEPS

              for i in "${EXTRA_STEPS[@]}"
              do
              $i
              done

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              • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                @Eric-Katzfey said in PX4 stops running:

                What version of the VOXL SDK is installed?

                kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
                kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
                kestrelsystemsbp
                wrote on last edited by
                #12

                @Eric-Katzfey sdk.png

                Eric KatzfeyE 1 Reply Last reply
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                • kestrelsystemsbpK kestrelsystemsbp

                  @Eric-Katzfey sdk.png

                  Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                  Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                  Eric Katzfey
                  ModalAI Team
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #13

                  @kestrelsystemsbp Perhaps you can do a fresh installation on 1.3.5 and see if the problem goes away? v1.3.5 has a lot of test time on it and nothing like the issue you are seeing has been encountered by us or any of our customers so this is a bit of a mystery. I would try the fresh install and, without making any modifications at all, see if it comes up and stays up. If so you can start introducing any configuration changes you need one by one to see if any of them are causing the issue.

                  kestrelsystemsbpK 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                    @kestrelsystemsbp Perhaps you can do a fresh installation on 1.3.5 and see if the problem goes away? v1.3.5 has a lot of test time on it and nothing like the issue you are seeing has been encountered by us or any of our customers so this is a bit of a mystery. I would try the fresh install and, without making any modifications at all, see if it comes up and stays up. If so you can start introducing any configuration changes you need one by one to see if any of them are causing the issue.

                    kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
                    kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
                    kestrelsystemsbp
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #14

                    @Eric-Katzfey How do I do that?

                    tomT 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • kestrelsystemsbpK kestrelsystemsbp

                      @Eric-Katzfey How do I do that?

                      tomT Offline
                      tomT Offline
                      tom
                      admin
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #15

                      @kestrelsystemsbp You can download the SDK from downloads.modalai.com,

                      Untar it with tar -xzvf voxl2_SDK_1.3.5.tar.gz

                      cd voxl2_SDK_1.3.5

                      Install it with ./install.sh

                      Although if there isn't a specific reason you're on 1.3.5, I would recommend updating to 1.4.1

                      kestrelsystemsbpK 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • tomT tom

                        @kestrelsystemsbp You can download the SDK from downloads.modalai.com,

                        Untar it with tar -xzvf voxl2_SDK_1.3.5.tar.gz

                        cd voxl2_SDK_1.3.5

                        Install it with ./install.sh

                        Although if there isn't a specific reason you're on 1.3.5, I would recommend updating to 1.4.1

                        kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
                        kestrelsystemsbpK Offline
                        kestrelsystemsbp
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #16

                        @tom That did the trick, thanks for the help!

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